Foul play: The Criminalization of Dutch Coffeeshop Owners

Cannabis News Network presents you with a follow-up on the dramatic case of Johan van Laarhoven. This former Dutch coffeeshop entrepreneur and his wife are still being imprisoned in Thailand under horrific conditions.

The reason for their imprisonment is an investigation initiated by the Dutch government, who is accusing Van Laarhoven of money laundering. Van Laarhoven having retired to Thailand, the public prosecutor triggered the Thai government to investigate Johan van Laarhoven too, which led to his and his wife’s imprisonment for over thirteen months.

Whereas Dutch coffeeshops are tolerated to sell cannabis under certain circumstances, purchasing their stock remains illegal, therefore forcing coffeeshops to operate in a gray area. So is Van Laarhoven really to blame?

Because the Thai authorities have no idea about the situation in The Netherlands and the Dutch way of dealing with cannabis was not explained by the Dutch attorney general, a Thai delegation was invited over to Holland to have a good look at the local approach.

Cannabis News Network was there to report on the Thai delegation visiting coffeeshops and the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum in Amsterdam.